Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: bknilvr00 on May 16, 2018, 02:07:47 PM

Title: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 16, 2018, 02:07:47 PM: With all the good weather recently and my recent acquisition of a fishing kayak, I have been hitting a few local lakes. Really took a liking to Lake Connor since it's all of 5 minutes from my house and holds a decent amount of largemouth bass. Fished it several days in the last week. Had a representative of Lake Connor park stop on the road and ask me to not retain the trout, as they had just paid to have it stocked for a memorial day weekend fishing derby for the kids. I'm after bass, not dog food fish so no big deal. She was polite and the whole interaction lasted maybe a minute. Few hours later I had two different vehicles pull in behind my rig, watching me fish, I'm going to assume they took down my license plate#. That was yesterday. Cut to today. Myself and another party of 3, (two teenagers and dad) were on the lake. All of us were there for all of 15 minutes before the sheriffs deputy rolls up and calls us over. Says the manager at Lake Connor park called because its a private lake, so we cant be there. Myself and the other gentlemen both knew that Lake Connor has a WDFW owned(verified by county assessor map, god bless the internet), water access site. Lake Connor park owns a hefty majority of the Lake except for the WDFW access which is right off the road. Knowing better than to try my case with a deputy who doesnt want to deal with such petty disputes, I moseyed on home and immediately looked up the tax maps to verify what I pretty well already knew. I called the Region 4 office to verify with them to see who is or isn't right. Gal on the phone was helpful, but didn't know WDFW had a water access site there. But she confirmed that there was one, and from my past experience as a waterfowler in this technicality strangled state, I asked if it was a case of owning the bottom, but not the water. She said yes, and told me I had legal access. So she then routes me to the snohomish county sherrif to inform them of the situation as it happened and to let them know that wdfw verified its legal access, despite Lake Connor parks protests. So, after all this, I'm feeling pretty good, decide to call Lake Connor park and politely touch base with them and let them know that we can in fact fish the lake. Once I got connected to the manager and informed her I was one of the gentlemen she called the cops on, she was very polite. Asked if I caught anything, told her of course not because I was only there for 15 minutes. I just explained to her all the hoops I jumped through to verify legal access blah blah blah. Despite what I had to say, she maintains that they own the lake, and the fish in it. She wouldnt even talk about the validity of the wdfw access, conveniently ignored it during our discussion. She name dropped a few people saying they told her its their property and such but in the end she maintained her position of complete lake ownership, and stated that she also did not call the cops. They just "showed up". Realizing I was getting absolutely nowhere, which is what I get for doing what I believed to be the right and courteous thing to do, I thanked her for speaking with me and hung up the phone. So now, after all this, whats the general consensus on what I should do? A part of me wants to print off a picture of the WDFW owned access tax map and have it on me for the inevitable call to law enforcement. What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: 92xj on May 16, 2018, 02:12:28 PM: I'd go fish it
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 16, 2018, 02:13:18 PM: Get it in writing and go fish. You can't be forcibly removed from conducting yourself in a legal manner. Sportsman should not be bullied by false no trespassing signs or statements. I of course would also consider being respectful of the request to not keep trout knowing a youth event is upcoming.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: vandeman17 on May 16, 2018, 02:17:26 PM: I agree with above and you should fish it. Print out information showing wdfw and enjoy your fishing
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: mallard on May 16, 2018, 02:24:23 PM: I agree with the above. Carry some documentation with you and go fish.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: BD1 on May 16, 2018, 02:25:41 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on May 16, 2018, 02:13:18 PM
Get it in writing and go fish. You can't be forcibly removed from conducting yourself in a legal manner. Sportsman should not be bullied by false no trespassing signs or statements. I of course would also consider being respectful of the request to not keep trout knowing a youth event is upcoming.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Badhabit on May 16, 2018, 02:32:45 PM: Just go fish it. Let anyone know who confronts you while fishing that they are interferring with a legal activity and you'll be the one calling the sheriff on them for that interference if same. Also, how can they prove if you caught a trout that it was a fish they paid for or a naturally produced fish? This is the stuff that makes YOU TUBE so much fun to watch, ignorant people getting educated.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bobcat on May 16, 2018, 02:35:32 PM: Keep fishing it. Fish it every day if you can.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: 7mmfan on May 16, 2018, 03:08:16 PM: I concur with the rest. Keep fishing, and some formal documentation clearly showing the access easement.

The manager may very well believe that the park owns the lake, so don't blame her directly, she was probably misinformed. It may take a couple run-in's and uncomfortable situations to bring everything to the surface.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 16, 2018, 03:32:04 PM: Well I fired off an email to wdfw get some written verification about access. I also printed a parcel picture of the wdfw access as well as the lake access listing from wdfw's website. I suspect I'll be talking with LEO's again, but next time I'll be prepared.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: ThurstonCokid on May 16, 2018, 03:37:40 PM: Keep fishing it!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: 92xj on May 16, 2018, 03:38:03 PM: I'd also make them come out to you if they want to chat.
And throw out the hunter/Fisher harrassememt if parks gal stops you to chat again, just for giggles.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: baker5150 on May 16, 2018, 03:47:06 PM: I had a similar issue growing up with a small lake by our farm. It had a WDFW access and boat launch onto a public lake but the road to the access was privately owned. We never saw anyone on this lake, most likely since the access wasn't visible or advertised.
We hunted ducks and geese on the lake a lot, until the guy who owned the road decided to throw a fit.
He tried to tell us we couldn't access the lake, we new better and kept hunting there.
He called the cops on us and the Sheriff showed up and happened to have used the access himself once or twice.
He set things straight.
The next season came and we found a gate on the road, shut, locked, and posted.
My old man called the local WDFW officer and he said he would look into it.
Turns out the guy didn't own the road at all, WDFW did, and he ended up getting in some hot water for the gate. So much so my old man got called in to court in the case against him, idiot had the nerve to fight it, and try to press charges against us for trespass.
Anyway, point is, we can't let people steal our access or claim it as theirs when it's not.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Special T on May 16, 2018, 04:07:57 PM: If you have a smart phone screen shot the Go Hunt access & assessors page.
If the WDFW has the access listed copy the URL. Should be good enough... it may also help to get to know the local game warden. 2c keep fishing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: jackmaster on May 16, 2018, 04:50:35 PM: I would take as much time off as I could and fish it day light to dark :tup:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: trophyhunt on May 16, 2018, 05:08:46 PM: Sounds like Huntwa should have a fishing tourneyment there after the youth one! 😜
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Bullkllr on May 16, 2018, 05:10:23 PM: I may join you, since it's a published WDFW access and all.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/water_access/30503/ (https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/water_access/30503/)

Not really, but please do us all a favor and utilize it as much as possible!
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Cylvertip on May 16, 2018, 07:42:56 PM: If you get pinged again, ask them if a fishing license is needed to fish the lake??... I wonder if they will stumble around on that one. Additionally, you can bring this into play: RCW 77.15.210 Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife - Penalty is a gross misdemeanor and or jail time. :tup:

I think I need to go cast some big trout imitation baits since they have been providing protein supplements for the bass. Sounds like a fine thing to do on a nice afternoon. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: runamuk on May 16, 2018, 08:25:50 PM: Post the coordinates on huntwa and ifish 😂😂😂 that'll teach em.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Stein on May 16, 2018, 08:42:26 PM: Fish it, when they show up again have all the info. They won’t keep coming over on bogus calls after that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: CAMPMEAT on May 16, 2018, 08:45:19 PM: We have 20 acres on a lake in the Okanogan with 150 feet of waterfront. The WDFW stocked the lake and WE gave them public access for fishing. If you didn't know where the access was, well, you were screwed. The WDFW stopped stocking it and we took away the public access.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: KB88 on May 16, 2018, 09:04:58 PM: See many ducks on this lake?? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: JimmyHoffa on May 16, 2018, 09:20:13 PM: Know any lawyers that like fishing?

Do the hunter harassment laws cover fishermen too?
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: mossback636 on May 16, 2018, 09:51:58 PM: You don't need to carry anything with you, forget about it, go fish it buddy! We do to much for this state already! Don't need to prove ourselves innocent more than we all already have to!!
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: fish vacuum on May 17, 2018, 12:45:14 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on May 16, 2018, 05:08:46 PM
Sounds like Huntwa should have a fishing tourneyment there after the youth one! 😜
I like this idea.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: nwmein199 on May 17, 2018, 07:09:11 AM: Fish it as much as possible and make sure to smile and wave and the "lake manager" as often as you can.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: outdooraddict on May 17, 2018, 07:18:59 AM: I would go fish it every possible chance. It makes me want to go fish it too, this is so aggrivating. We did something similar when i was a kid. For my birthday, we would shoot clay pigeons. The issue was that the no shooting zone was the road in front of the house, and we shot in the back yard. Every year dad would look forward to the "tough guy cop" showing up to tell us we were illegal. He would hand them the shooting zone map, and say thanks for stopping by. When they realized we were legal and knew what we were talking about, their attitude usually changed to "I'd sure like to shoot a few clays with you"
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2018, 07:25:47 AM: Quote from: outdooraddict on May 17, 2018, 07:18:59 AM
I would go fish it every possible chance. It makes me want to go fish it too, this is so aggrivating. We did something similar when i was a kid. For my birthday, we would shoot clay pigeons. The issue was that the no shooting zone was the road in front of the house, and we shot in the back yard. Every year dad would look forward to the "tough guy cop" showing up to tell us we were illegal. He would hand them the shooting zone map, and say thanks for stopping by. When they realized we were legal and knew what we were talking about, their attitude usually changed to "I'd sure like to shoot a few clays with you"
That's awesome....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on May 17, 2018, 08:26:09 AM: It's REALLY important for sportsmen to use our access point or risk losing them. When the Wenatchee River was closed to fishing for 10 years, lots of encroachments occurred on OUR accesses and nobody was there to contest them. It's several years after fishing has reopened on a periodic basis, and some of the encroachment issues still are not resolved.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Snowgoose1 on May 17, 2018, 08:59:31 AM: I have been to Lake Connor Park numerous times because I have friends who have a place there. Yes, there has always been the public access outside the park too. Since this is a public lake with WDFW access and advertised as such on the WDFW website, wouldn't all state rules apply? When I have been there numerous times adults are fishing and they say they don't have a license and don't need one. I have actually asked and everyone there claims that they were informed from the office that adults don't need a license. When I asked at the office last year the office actually said they own the lake and that a license is not needed. I never would fish it myself because I'm just visiting, but for bass it actually looks fun to try. Maybe it would be worthy to have a LEO out once in a while to make sure all people who are of age should have a fish license. I think it works both ways on this one due to the fact it is listed with a public access.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: fireweed on May 17, 2018, 09:15:57 AM: My big piece of advice for access issues is NEVER believe what you are TOLD by anyone--government, private etc. Dig up the documents or easements yourself.

I ran into something similar on a WDFW river access where the landowner deed said he owned to the middle of the river, even though the river had moved squarely onto WDFW land. He was essentially stealing 5 acres of public land. Called WDFW local biologist, who forwarded it to LEO who made a personal visit to the "landowner". Lots of landowners don't know rules about water, navigability, and public ownership. To solve problem you may have to have WDFW go to bat for their access site. Carry the plat map with you.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: MamaSasquatch on May 17, 2018, 09:19:44 AM: They may pay to stock the lake but they are just paying for the service of the stocking. Once the fish are in state waters, they are the state's fish. they may own the land the lake is on, but they do not own the water.

For example, as long as the lake has a high-water mark,you could pay for a helicopter to drop you off in the middle of a private lake in a float tube (as long as it has a season) and legally fish as long as you don't touch land above the high water mark.

Since WDFW has a public launch, you are more than able to fish it legally and can retain any fish that are currently open in season.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: NumaJohn on May 17, 2018, 09:26:18 AM: Hello, All.

As Baker5150 noted earlier in this thread, "Anyway, point is, we can't let people steal our access or claim it as theirs when it's not."

Of course, that goes for our federal land, too. We have to resist the Bundys, the Kochs, and the other land-grabbers from taking what ALL Americans have been supporting for a LONG time. Federal land belongs to ALL Americans. Hunters and anglers need to keep the pressure on and not let private interests and states grab what is not rightfully theirs.

John
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Shrimper on May 17, 2018, 09:34:04 AM: Attached is a copy of the recorded survey with the legal description for the WDFW access. Note the survey was prepared for Lake Conner Park.

Also, is an aerial map showing the location of this particular parcel?

I drive by this spot on a daily basis; people dump trash and other items fairly regularly there. A boat was dumped at this site last spring and it took six months before the local scavengers picked it clean and it was finally removed. I doubt Lake Conner Park removed the boat.

Has anyone heard of a Hogcraw? Rumor is one or two but not more than three might reside in this lake.

Glad to see people using this access.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Shrimper on May 17, 2018, 09:36:47 AM: PM me and I will email a PDF copy of the survey if anyone wants it.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2018, 09:41:26 AM: :fishin:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 17, 2018, 10:10:07 AM: Quote from: Shrimper on May 17, 2018, 09:34:04 AM
Attached is a copy of the recorded survey with the legal description for the WDFW access. Note the survey was prepared for Lake Conner Park.

Also, is an aerial map showing the location of this particular parcel?

I drive by this spot on a daily basis; people dump trash and other items fairly regularly there. A boat was dumped at this site last spring and it took six months before the local scavengers picked it clean and it was finally removed. I doubt Lake Conner Park removed the boat.

Has anyone heard of a Hogcraw? Rumor is one or two but not more than three might reside in this lake.

Glad to see people using this access.

Actually untangled a hogcraw a few days ago that was wrapped up in a bunch of discarded fishing line. It was certainly in contention for the largest Id ever seen but growing up playing in central illinois creeks will find you the occasional lobster.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Special T on May 17, 2018, 10:23:33 AM: Perhaps an access work party is in order? Bunch of guys with weed wackers to clear the path and help out the parking? Maybe install a access sign?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180517/61efab758d7b0f7f6fdcbe3ae03e0187.jpg)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 17, 2018, 10:32:26 AM: Quote from: Special T on May 17, 2018, 10:23:33 AM
Perhaps an access work party is in order? Bunch of guys with weed wackers to clear the path and help out the parking? Maybe install a access sign?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180517/61efab758d7b0f7f6fdcbe3ae03e0187.jpg)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

WDFW actually has an adopt an access program I was contemplating signing up for. Its a pretty small area that might take a few hours to weed wack. Would really open it up and make launching all manner of small vessels easier.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Knocker of rocks on May 17, 2018, 10:42:53 AM: Quote from: Snowgoose1 on May 17, 2018, 08:59:31 AM
When I have been there numerous times adults are fishing and they say they don't have a license and don't need one. I have actually asked and everyone there claims that they were informed from the office that adults don't need a license. When I asked at the office last year the office actually said they own the lake and that a license is not needed........ Maybe it would be worthy to have a LEO out once in a while to make sure all people who are of age should have a fish license.

:tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 10:57:52 AM: So far im not seeing any fish pics? :dunno: :dunno:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 11:00:00 AM: Also, i see the kids derby is on the 26th. Good on them for putting it on. After that trout are fair game!
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 17, 2018, 11:24:12 AM: Quote from: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 10:57:52 AM
So far im not seeing any fish pics? :dunno: :dunno:

This is one of about 6 similarly sized bass ive caught outa there. Matter of time before I hook into something more substantial.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 11:30:44 AM: Nice. I'm jelly.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 11:32:47 AM: You should keep a few bass if allowed. Help the population out. Ill beer batter those babies up!
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 17, 2018, 12:02:28 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 11:32:47 AM
You should keep a few bass if allowed. Help the population out. Ill beer batter those babies up!

Unfortunately any bass Ive caught have been 13-14 inches. Keeping size is under 12'' per the regulations. However, you can retain 1 over 17" but I have yet to cross paths with one.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2018, 12:05:04 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: backyard bucks on May 18, 2018, 03:05:43 PM: great little lake with some good fish in it for sure. we live REALLY close to the lake and one year the boys went and hammered the trout hard and than found out they (conner park) had just planted it for that park derby! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: Mark Brenckle on May 19, 2018, 08:50:37 AM: Quote from: backyard bucks on May 18, 2018, 03:05:43 PM
great little lake with some good fish in it for sure. we live REALLY close to the lake and one year the boys went and hammered the trout hard and than found out they (conner park) had just planted it for that park derby! :chuckle:
It appears several of us are neighbors, I live right up the road a bit near Lochsloy.
Title: Re: Water access drama
Post by: AL WORRELLS KID on May 21, 2018, 10:41:27 AM: Okay neighbors, we will be looking for some of your Artistic Weed-eater Talents down at the WDFW Boat Launch the next time we fish Lake Conner. :P
Doug